From the Wild Boar Thai Soccer Team Presser

[grantcart]

Last edited Wed Jul 18, 2018, 06:52 PM - Edit history (2)

These are just the most innocent and delightful kids. When they are given a chance to speak they all begged forgiveness from their parents for not telling them they were going to the cave. When asked what they wanted to do in the future they all started that they intended to study hard, become professional football players and eventually navy seals. All were experienced swimmers, frequently swimming after practice.

They are all going to enter the monkhood as novice monks for a ceremonial period ( usually a week) to honor
Navy Seal 'Ja Sam' who died.

The hilarious part was when the interviewer asked the doctor how they decided who would go out first. The medic said that he consulted with Doctor Harris they agreed that all were recovering well and left it to the team to decide who would go out first.

The team decided on a very practical basis. Those that lived the furthest would go back first because they had the furthest bike ride home.

They were oblivious that not just the entire Thai nation but billions around the world were waiting for them. The seals had kept them occupied with stories and marathon checkers tournament but didn't talk about the reaction outside the cave.

They were worried about getting out and biking home so they left the cave giving those who lived furthest a head start to get home first on their bikes.




Edited to add CBS report

You can hear them apologizing to their parents

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/thai-boys-recount-the-moment-they-were-found-2018-07-18/

[KCDebbie]

1. These kids do sound like great young people...

Can't wait to see how the movie about turns out...

[2naSalit]

2. I heard on the radio

this afternoon that the coach had studied to become a Buddhist monk and used his training to help keep everyone calm, showed them how to survive using meditation and refused food so the children could eat. At least he had that to help keep them all alive.

[grantcart]

5. Its true, but there is even more to the story.

When Coach Ake was about 10 there was a terrible virus that went through his village and killed many including his parents and his seven year old brother, leaving him alone with just an Aunt and Uncle who could not take him in.

As is the custom in Northern Thailand orphaned boys can go to the temple where they are "novice" monks and get free room, board and undertake initial monk training while they get a basic education.

In the West we often think that all monks are sweet and generous in spirit like the Dali Lama but that is not always the case. Some monks, who are still good monks, are stern. Ake was known as not only being a good novice but someone who is very empathetic, especially with children. The Abbot at his temple was interviewed and thought that Ake had a particularly sweet disposition towards children because of the loss of his brother at a young age.

When I first saw Ake interviewed I thought he was one of the older boys. While he is 25 his voice sounds more like a 15 year old than a 25 year old. He has the spirit of a youngster in many ways, although he is clearly mature as well.

Ake is the "assistant" coach for the team. He is an unpaid volunteer and the head coach had a competing commitment so wasn't at the practice.

Most of the players are from extremely poor families (one was dropped off as an infant at a Christian School to be raised their by parents that couldn't afford to raise another child).

When Ake saw that the players were more committed to football than to their studies he promised them that if they improved their grades they would get shoes, clothes and eventually a bike. He then went businesses in the area and got donations for the kids.

He used his meditation from his many years in the temple to keep the kids calm and slow their metabolism. The slept close together to conserve warmth.

So yes his training as a novice monk gave him skills that made a huge difference in the team surviving.

[Lisa0825]

3. What a sweet story!!! Do you mind if I C&P and share this elsewhere? nt

[grantcart]

4. Please